Toxic plankton kills off thousands of bred fish2004 07 23TSUSHIMA, Ehime -- Tens of thousands of red sea bream bred at a fish preserve off Ehime Prefecture have died, probably due to a toxic type of plankton, it has been learned.

The number of dead fish is estimated at 250,000 and the damage is expected to cost operators about 125 million yen.

Operators said it was probable that a red tide -- a discoloration of seawater caused by an increase of toxic organisms -- which spread from about July 12, was responsible.

The local Kitanada fisheries cooperative is considering plans to move the preserve to an area where red tides do not form. (Mainichi Shimbun, Japan, July 23, 2004)